enormous consignments received at and despatched from many of the branches working on independent lines. Hospitals at home and abroad, convalescent homes, British military and medical units in Europe, Africa, and Mesopotamia, the Navy, the Allied forces, the Belgian refugees, the Prisoners of War, are some of the recipients of gifts from this great distributing centre at Friary Court, for the sympathies of the Guild are as catholic as its friends and supporters are widespread. Daily reports of the work are submitted to Her Majesty the Queen, who has thus kept in close touch with all the details of the organisation. Lady Lawley and a large staff of voluntary workers have laboured unsparingly throughout, and are responsible in a great measure for the ready help which has been granted on so many sides. The following extract from a letter from a high authority in France is a typical tribute: “In this past fortnight the demand has been unprecedented, and I have been able to meet every requirement. I can never be grateful enough to the Guild.... I don’t think any of us can ever thank the work parties half enough for their very useful help.” The largest surgical branch of Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild is at the Central War Hospital Supply Depôt, where truly inspiring work is being done in the making of hospital requirements. The depôt was founded in April, 1915, by Miss Ethel M’Caul, R.R.C., who originated and developed the system of work. When at the end of that year Miss M’Caul resigned, H.R.H. Princess Beatrice graciously undertook to carry on the work of the depôt, and appointed Mrs. E. H. Gibson as her general manager. The workers attached to this depôt number 3500, and their service is entirely voluntary. There is no obligation to work for any stated time, but each worker is free to come for as long and as often as possible. Though the majority are part-time workers, there is a nucleus of “steady plodders” who come all day and every day. With woman’s infallible instinct of dressing for her part, an optional but universally adopted uniform is worn in the depôt--a white linen overall and a flowing white coif, which give the workrooms a charming and picturesque aspect. Each worker pays a subscription of 1s. a week, which, besides covering the house expenses of the depôt, makes a considerable contribution towards the cost of materials and packing. Apart from this maintenance fund, money for the work has been entirely provided by voluntary gifts. [Illustration: THE STERILIZING ROOM AT THE CENTRAL WAR HOSPITAL SUPPLY DEPÔT _To face page 94_ ]